Our Team
Simon Carson
Simon Carson is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and head coach of the Absolute MMA Fight Team.
Simon has found success in coaching at all levels, with a number of athletes winning amateur and professional MMA titles under his guidance. He has coached athletes to the most prestigious organisations including the UFC and Rizin Fighting Federation.
He also holds a record of 2 wins and 2 losses as a professional in MMA, notably facing off with one of the greatest BJJ athletes of all time, Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, in ONE FC.
Simon is a Registered Exercise Scientist (ESSA) and a Level 1 Olympic Lifting Coach, Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Human Movement) degree, allowing him to bring cutting edge science to his coaching.
Lachlan Giles
Lachlan Giles, an esteemed Australian BJJ black belt, is widely recognised as one of the world’s premier grappling coaches. With his ground-breaking instructional series at BJJ Fanatics, innovative learning platform SubMeta, and a roster of notable students including Craig Jones, Lachlan has solidified his reputation as an exceptional mentor.
Lachlan has also showcased his prowess as a competitor, achieving remarkable feats in the grappling world. At ADCC 2019, competing in the Absolute division as one of the lightest contenders at under 77kg, he submitted three world-class heavyweights (Kaynan Duarte, Patrick Gaudio, and Mahamed Aly), earning him an ADCC Absolute Division Bronze Medal.
Lachlan’s impressive competition record also includes the Kinektic Invitational 1 Team Championship (where he single-handedly submitted the opposing 5-man team), a 2017 IBJJF No-Gi World Championship Bronze Medal, 2014 Australian Jiu-Jitsu Grand Prix Championship, and multiple Pan Pacific and Victorian Jiu Jitsu Championships. In 2014, he achieved a remarkable feat by sweeping the black belt division at Australia’s prestigious Pan Pacific Championships, securing four gold medals.
Outside the mat, Lachlan is also a physiotherapist, leveraging his expertise in the field. In 2016, he completed his PhD, further demonstrating his dedication to learning and advancing his knowledge.
Jack Jenkins
Jack Jenkins is currently signed to the UFC where he has built a 2-1 record in the promotion. He holds an overall record of 12-3 in professional MMA and 3-0 in Muay Thai.
He started with kickboxing and moved on to MMA as a teenager. He is a brown belt in BJJ and has an undefeated kickboxing record.
Jack has won the Eternal championship three times and was a former Rogue champion.
With his vast knowledge and experience in MMA, Muay Thai, Boxing, and BJJ, Jack Jenkins is an excellent coach for anyone who wants to take their martial arts skills to the next level.
Kemal Akagunduz
Kemal Akagunduz is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Lachlan Giles and head BJJ coach in the CBD.
He started training in Muay Thai in Belarus in 2009 and later began training BJJ in Shanghai in 2012. He has been teaching Jiu-Jitsu since 2015 and co-founded Absolute MMA Shanghai in 2018.
Kemal has won several grappling tournaments, including the Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Pro Shanghai Open, Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Pro Beijing Open and Shanghai UFC Performance Institute Grappling Tournament.
He has also worked as a Muay Thai instructor in China and he has also trained several UFC fighters, including Li Jing Liang and Song Kenan.
Laos Toohey
Atsaphang Toohey Choundary is a highly experienced and dedicated coach with a passion for martial arts. He has over 40 years of martial arts experience and has been coaching for an impressive 25 years.
Toohey’s journey began at the age of 15 when he started training in Muay Thai. Over the years, he also immersed himself in Karate, achieving a brown belt in Coju Kai Karate. Additionally, he dedicated 30 years to Korean martial arts, earning black belts in Hapkido and both ITF and WTF Taekwondo at the 5th degree level.
Toohey returned to Muay Thai and kickboxing under the guidance of renowned trainer, Dana Goodson, achieving remarkable success in boxing, Muay Thai, and kickboxing.
Toohey holds a record of 25 amateur boxing fights, 16 of them under VABL and 9 under VABA, boasting an undefeated record of 25-0. In addition, he has an impressive 32-0 record in professional kickboxing and Muay Thai, with 15 victories by knockout.
Connor Evans
Connor Evans is the current Australian National Team Head Coach with an impressive 24 years of wrestling experience. As a former member of both the Scottish and British national teams from 2004 to 2009 and the Australian national team from 2013 to 2019, Connor brings a wealth of international expertise to his coaching.
Since 2015, Connor has been sharing his knowledge and passion for wrestling as a dedicated coach. He has achieved remarkable success in his coaching career, coaching two athletes to Olympic qualification in 2024. He also served as the Australian Assistant National Coach from 2021 to 2023 and was the Australian Assistant National Coach at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Connor’s own achievements in wrestling include being a 5-time Australian National Champion, 2-time Oceania Champion, 2014 South East Asian Champion, and earning podium finishes at the Commonwealth Championships and 5th at the Commonwealth Games.
With his United World Wrestling Level 2 certification, Connor is equipped with the expertise to guide and mentor aspiring wrestlers to reach their full potential.
Raja Shippen
Raja Shippen, a professional mixed martial artist, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his coaching career. With an impressive record of 19 wins, 13 losses, and 1 draw, Raja has proven himself as a formidable competitor in the MMA world.
Starting his coaching journey under the guidance of Mark Munoz at Reign Training Center in California, Raja has honed his skills and gained invaluable insights from some of the best in the industry. He holds a Vale Tudo black belt under the legendary Marco Ruas, further demonstrating his expertise in various martial arts disciplines.
Raja’s training has taken him around the globe, including a notable stint with John Kavanagh and Conor McGregor at SBG Ireland. He has competed in renowned fighting destinations such as America, Japan, South Korea, and The Philippines, showcasing his versatility and adaptability in different fight scenes.
Currently, Raja stands as one of the top-ranked Bantamweights in Australia, a testament to his skill and dedication. As a coach, Raja brings a unique perspective and wealth of firsthand experience to his students, guiding them on their MMA journey.
Joseph Luciano
Joseph Luciano is a highly experienced coach in MMA, Muay Thai, and Wrestling with a martial arts journey spanning 16 years.
Starting with Muay Thai and progressing to MMA, Joseph has amassed an impressive record including 8-2 in pro MMA, 1-0 in pro kickboxing, and 10-1 in Muay Thai.
His achievements also extend to the international stage, with 2x third place in the IMMAF World Championships, Oceania champion, Asian open 2nd place, and African open champion. Joseph’s expertise as a coach is recognized as a member of the IMMAF Australian national coaching staff.
Leamthong Leenoi
Leamthong, originally from Phang Nga province in South Thailand, began his fighting career at the age of 9 and has over 300 fights to his name. He is the two time Rajadamnern Champion and Channel 3 8-Man Tournament Champion.
To add to his incredible achievements within Thailand, he’s also seen international success with fights on the famous Top King promotion in Indonesia before finishing his fight career at the age of 30, going out on top with a KO victory in Japan.
Leamthong has coached at some of the top Muay Thai gyms in the world and is currently the head coach of Absolute MMA Thailand. An extremely popular trainer, students seek out Leamthong for his mixed approach of modern and traditional techniques in his training sessions. High paced padwork with combinations, spinning and jumping techniques as well as your more “Thai style” power method of training, he has a great way of merging styles together.
Livia Giles
Livia Giles, a highly accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and coach, has over a decade of training experience.
Livia began her journey under the guidance of Daniel Shaw and later joined Absolute MMA under Thiago Stefanutti. Since then, she has trained extensively at renowned academies worldwide.
Livia’s coaching journey started in 2014, where she has successfully coached diverse classes, including beginners, advanced practitioners, women’s only sessions, kids, privates, and seminars across the globe.
Her impressive list of achievements includes being an ADCC veteran, 2019 ADCC European Trials Champion, and a silver medalist in prestigious tournaments such as the IBJJF BJJ No Gi World Championships and the European IBJJF Gi Championships.
Livia holds a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (honours) degree and also contributes to occupational violence prevention training for professionals in various industries.”
Sam Hibberd
Sam Hibberd is an experienced MMA and Muay Thai coach with a remarkable career in the world of combat sports. With over 15 years of coaching experience, including training athletes internationally at Absolute MMA Thailand, Sam brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his students.
As a professional Mixed Martial Artist, Sam boasts an impressive record of 9-6 in his pro MMA career and he is a former Eternal MMA Bantamweight Champion. He has competed in Australia’s biggest MMA promotions and currently holds a prominent position as one of Australia’s top-ranked Bantamweights. Sam’s journey in martial arts began in his hometown of Mildura, where he discovered his passion for combat sports.
Not only does Sam excel as a fighter, but he also possesses a talent for coaching. He has successfully trained and prepared athletes for various competitions in MMA, Kickboxing, Boxing, and BJJ. His coaching approach combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of the physical and mental aspects of combat sports.”
Oliver Smith
Oliver Smith is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt under Lachlan Giles.
He started training in 2012 and is an accomplished competitor, most recently coming in second place at the 2023 Victorian State Championships in both his weight division and the open weight division, and winning a superfight on the prestigious Sarman Challenge professional grappling show against a decorated black belt.
He started coaching in 2016 and is now the head BJJ coach at our Collingwood location. He also plays an active role in training and preparing our Fight Team for their upcoming MMA bouts.
Lisa Kyriacou
Lisa Kyriacou is recognized as the top professional female MMA fighter in Australia and New Zealand and a dedicated MMA coach.
She has amassed over five years of training experience under the guidance of renowned trainer Simon Carson. With an impressive professional record of 7-1, she has proven her capabilities inside the cage.
Lisa’s accomplishments include holding the prestigious title of Hex Flyweight Champion and fighting on One FC. Her commitment to the sport is reflected in her qualifications, holding a Certificate 3 & 4 in fitness and personal training.
Mikael Yahaya
Mikael Yahaya is a highly accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach and competitor. He has been training in BJJ since 2011 and started competing in the same year.
He has trained with world-class coaches and athletes, including Lachlan Giles, Kit Dale, Craig Jones, Baret Yoshida, and Marcelo Garcia.
Mikael has won multiple Pan Pacific and AGC championship titles and has a bronze medal in the IBJJF Purple Belt Worlds. He has also won several superfight matches, including at Kasai Pro 2, Grapplefest, Aus Sub Only, and Subversion.
In addition to his BJJ career, Mikael has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business (Management).
Sem Kakembo
Semakadde Kakembo is a highly skilled coach with extensive experience in MMA, Muay Thai, and boxing. With over 10 years of training as a mixed martial artist and competing in various disciplines, Semakadde brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his coaching.
As a professional MMA fighter, Semakadde holds an impressive record of 6-2. His dedication and skill have led him to achieve notable accomplishments, including being a former Amateur Path to Hex Featherweight Champion and winning the Pan Pacific BJJ Championship at the blue belt level.
With 5 years of coaching experience, Semakadde has honed his skills in guiding and mentoring aspiring fighters. His training at Absolute MMA for 5 years has provided him with a solid foundation and exposure to world-class coaching methodologies.
Glen Fraser
Glen Fraser is a highly experienced Muay Thai and Boxing coach with a lifelong dedication to martial arts. Glen’s journey began at the age of 10 with “Nam Wah Pai” Kung Fu, earning his first black belt at just 14.
He continued his training in Karate, obtaining his second black belt at 26. With a passion for MMA, Glen competed in two amateur fights before transitioning to Muay Thai, where he has trained for over 11 years.
As a professional Muay Thai fighter, Glen has participated in five bouts. With 16 years of experience as a personal trainer and expertise in Muay Thai, Glen is well-equipped to guide and develop aspiring athletes.
Sam Marles
“Sam Marles is a highly skilled and dedicated MMA and Boxing coach with over three years of experience at Absolute MMA.
Trained under notable coaches, Simon Carson, Ed Bavelock, and Joseph Luciano, he excels in MMA and boxing. He is 2-0 as a professional in MMA and he ammased an impressive amateur record of 5-2 in MMA and 5-1 in boxing.
Sam brings valuable insights from his own fighting experience and his Diploma in Sports Performance equips him with the knowledge to optimize athlete training and development.
With a diverse background that includes coaching and competing as a golfer, Sam offers a well-rounded approach to coaching MMA and boxing.
Sarmad Jahanara
Sarmad Jahanara is an experienced and accomplished coach in MMA, Muay Thai, and boxing. With 9 years of training, 4 years of coaching, and 4 years of professional competition, Sarmad brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his students.
As a professional fighter, Sarmad holds an impressive record of 2-1 in MMA and 8-4 in Muay Thai and kickboxing. His dedication and skill have led him to earn titles such as the Amateur Path to Hex Middleweight Title and the WBC Muay Thai Victorian Cruiserweight Title.
In addition to his combat sports accomplishments, Sarmad holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Certificate III in Hospital Health Service/Pharmacy Support. With 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician, he brings a comprehensive understanding of health and wellness to his coaching approach.
Apryl Eppinger
Apryl J Eppinger is an accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) coach with an impressive track record in both training and competition. With 11 years of dedication at Absolute, she trained under and for the renowned Thiago Stefanutti, progressing from white to black belt under his guidance.
Apryl’s international experience shines through her 5-year tenure as a competitor for the Philippines National team. As a coach, she has contributed her expertise at Absolute for 6 years. Apryl’s BJJ accolades include being an Asian Champion in JJAU, a medalist in the Asian Beach Games and SEA Games, and a multiple-time Philippines National Champion.
She has also achieved notable victories in prestigious events such as the IBJJF Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship, IBJJF Melbourne Open, and IBJJF Pan Pacific. Alongside her BJJ journey, Apryl has showcased her versatility by representing Australia and the Philippines in cycling, setting national female track sprint cycling and time trial records that remain unbroken to this day.
Alastair Volders
Alastair Volders is a professional mixed Marital Artist with a record of 2 wins and 0 losses. He is also a multi-disciplinary coach specializing in MMA, BJJ, and Muay Thai.
With 7 years of training and 5 years of fighting experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his coaching endeavors. After honing his skills in Brisbane for 5 years, Alastair is now based in Melbourne.
His Amateur MMA record of 5-3 includes impressive performances in Eternal MMA, with several notable first-round knockouts. He is also 1-0 in Kickboxing.
As a BJJ competitor, Alastair was a Pan Pacific 2023 Purple Belt Belt No-Gi Champion, showcasing his submission prowess. He currently holds a Purple Belt in BJJ and holds Certifications 3 and 4 in Fitness.
Moses Bentley
Moses Bentley is a highly skilled Strength and Conditioning coach with over 15 years of experience in the world of martial arts and combat sports. With a background in MMA and kickboxing, Moses understands the physical demands and training needs of athletes in these disciplines.
As a current purple belt and a recipient of the silver medal at the Pan PACs 2016 and gold medal at Grappling Industries 2016, he brings his own competitive experience to his coaching approach. Moses is dedicated to helping athletes improve their performance and reach their full potential.
Moses holds certifications in personal training, fitness, strength conditioning, Olympic lifting, and kettlebell training. His extensive training and qualifications include Cert 3 and Cert 4 in personal training, Australia strength conditioning level 1, Eleiko strength, and Olympic lifting level 1, as well as being kettlebell certified at level 2.
With a passion for competitive sports, Moses has not only worked with professional athletes but has also trained alongside them in the realm of strength and conditioning. His expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional coaching make him an invaluable asset to athletes seeking to enhance their physical capabilities and achieve success in their respective sports.
Tom Everett
Tom Everett is a highly accomplished BJJ coach with a wealth of experience in the martial arts. As a black belt practitioner, Tom has dedicated 10 years to training and competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has been sharing his knowledge and expertise as a coach for the past 4 years.
Tom’s journey in BJJ began in 2012 when he started training under the guidance of renowned grappler Craig Jones in Adelaide. Seeking further growth and challenges, he later joined Absolute, led by the esteemed coach Lachlan Giles, in 2015.
Throughout his competitive career, Tom has achieved remarkable feats. He has secured gold medals at prestigious events such as the Australian Nationals and the Melbourne International Open, earning recognition for his exceptional skills on the mat. Additionally, he has competed in renowned tournaments like the Gi Worlds, No-Gi Pan Ams, multiple ADCC trials, and Grapplefest UK.
Charlton Butt
Charlton Butt is an accomplished Strength and Conditioning coach with a diverse background in fitness and coaching. While briefly exploring boxing, Charlton’s true passion lies in strength and conditioning. He honed his skills by completing shadow coaching hours at the prestigious UFC Performance Institute, working closely with the head S&C coach.
With certifications in Fitness (Certs 3 & 4) and ongoing studies in Psychology, Charlton brings a holistic approach to his coaching.
Having accumulated four years of coaching experience at Royale Fitness, working with a wide range of athletes such as combat sports athletes, football players, ultra runners, law enforcement personnel, and motocross riders, Charlton has developed a versatile coaching style. Additionally, he spent three years playing division 1 college football at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Charlton’s extensive experience and diverse expertise make him an exceptional Strength and Conditioning coach, dedicated to helping individuals achieve their fitness goals and unleash their full potential.
Diellon Lihari
Diellon Lihari is a dedicated and experienced coach specializing in MMA, BJJ, Boxing, and Muay Thai. Since late 2018, Diellon has immersed himself in training, devoting most of his time to honing his skills. He embarked on his MMA journey at Kimekai, guided by esteemed coaches Joseph Luciano and Ed Bavelock. Transitioning to Absolute under the tutelage of Simon Carson, Diellon had his first fight in March 2020.
With a strong background in coaching and personal training spanning two years, Diellon is well-equipped to guide and mentor aspiring athletes. His impressive amateur record includes 7 wins and 2 losses in MMA, an undefeated record of 1-0 in Boxing, and a perfect 1-0 record in K-1.
Rob Pelle
Rob Pelle is a dedicated MMA coach with a passion for martial arts. His journey began at the age of 25 in 2017. Rob started his BJJ training under the guidance of renowned coach Lachlan Giles, and has since progressed to earn his Purple Belt.
Throughout his training, Rob has had the privilege of working with exceptional striking coaches from Absolute MMA, including Laos Toohey, Sam Hibberd, Simon Carson, Jack Jenkins, and Raja Shippen.
With a total of 9 novice/amateur MMA fights under his belt, Rob has also ventured into the realms of Muay Thai, freestyle wrestling, and BJJ competitions.
As a coach, Rob began sharing his knowledge and passion in 2022. He takes great pleasure in teaching and providing support to competitors during competitions, understanding the challenges and fears that come with the competitive environment.
Michael Hourigan
Michael Hourigan is a highly skilled BJJ coach with a second-degree black belt and a remarkable 18 years of training experience.
With 12 years of coaching under his belt, Michael has honed his expertise in guiding students on their BJJ journey.
As an active competitor from 2005 to 2019, he has amassed invaluable competition experience.
Training alongside Lachlan Giles in Australia, Michael has also ventured abroad, training and competing internationally.
His impressive achievements include multiple victories as a Pan Pacific Champion and Australian National Champion.
Nathan Heddle
Nathan Heddle is a highly accomplished BJJ coach and practitioner, holding a prestigious black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
His journey in martial arts began in 1994 when he started training and competing in Judo in the western suburbs. A few years later, he also ventured into Goju Ryu Karate, earning his 1st Dan black belt after several years of dedicated training.
Nathan has achieved significant success in both disciplines, with multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals in BJJ Pan Pac competitions, Melbourne Open, and VIC Championships. Nathan’s expertise extends to karate, where he has been crowned the Japanese Karate Federation Australian Champion.
Outside of his martial arts achievements, Nathan is a dedicated professional in the healthcare field, working as a nurse with advanced EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) qualifications.
Rory Matthews
Rory Matthews is an esteemed BJJ coach with a strong background in training, competing, and coaching kids’ jiu-jitsu. With five years of experience in the field, Rory has made a significant impact on the development of young practitioners.
During his own competitive journey, Rory has achieved remarkable accomplishments. He holds impressive titles such as Vic, Queensland, and NSW State Champion at light weight, along with multiple-time Open weight Finalist. He has also attained notable achievements, including silver medals at Nationals and Pan Pacifics in No-Gi divisions, as well as being a Sarman 3 Superfight Winner. Rory has claimed victory as a NAGA Purple and Brown Belt Austin Open Champion.
In addition to his BJJ prowess, Rory holds a Cert 4 in Personal Training under AIPT, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of fitness and training principles.
Nick Metcalfe
Nick Metcalfe is an experienced and versatile yoga coach, with a strong background in various martial arts disciplines. With a decade of training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and approximately six years in MMA, wrestling, and kickboxing, Nick has honed his skills and gained valuable experience in the combat sports arena. He has actively competed in multiple BJJ tournaments and ventured into novice MMA competition.
Alongside his martial arts journey, Nick has immersed himself in the practice of yoga for eight years and has been teaching for five years., guiding students on their path to physical and mental well-being. Nick holds certifications in Yoga Teacher Training (200hr) and Yin Yoga Teacher Training (25hr). He has also obtained a Certificate III & IV in Fitness (Personal Training) and completed Level 1 of the Australian Strength and Conditioning program.
Nick’s training journey began at PUMMA under the guidance of Coach Vincent Perry, where he had the privilege of training and sparring with UFC veterans like Dylan Andrews and several other Australian MMA fighters. For the past seven years, he has continued his training at Absolute MMA CBD, further expanding his knowledge and skills.
With his brown belt in BJJ and a wealth of experience in martial arts and yoga, Nick Metcalfe brings a holistic approach to his coaching.
Aaron Maher
Aaron Maher is an experienced wrestling coach with 18 years of freestyle wrestling under Sam Parker. Aaron has won National and Oceania freestyle wrestling titles while training alongside many of the top wrestlers in Australia, including Sahit Prizreni, Mehrdad Tarash, and Ali Abdo.
Aaron has also dedicated 7 years to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning his purple belt under Lachlan Giles and Levy Jones-Leary.
Aaron’s training and competition journey has taken him across the globe, from Bulgaria to various American states such as Iowa, Ohio, California, and Guam.